Kelly Ripa Signs New 5-Year Deal For 'Live!'

EXCLUSIVE: With Regis Philbin leaving Live! With Regis And Kelly next week, the company that distributes the popular daily syndicated talk show has moved to lock in co-host Kelly Ripa through at least 2017. I’ve learned that Ripa has signed a new five-year deal with Disney-ABC Domestic Television that will start in fall 2012, when the talk show host’s current pact expires. This past February, Ripa celebrated her 10-year anniversary on Live!, and her new contract will extend her tenure on the show to 16 years. The rich new deal comes just as Ripa prepares to fly solo following Philbin’s November 18 exit when the veteran syndicated talk show will be temporarily renamed Live! With Kelly until a permanent co-host is found. While the search is underway, Ripa will be joined by a slew of guest co-hosts. First off is Jerry Seinfeld, who will take a seat besides Ripa on her first three solo shows, November 21-23. Earlier today, Live! announced the lineup of guests for Philbin’s final week, which includes David Letterman and Kathie Lee Gifford. Along with Philbin, Ripa won a Daytime Emmy for best talk show host this past summer. In addition to her hosting duties on Live!, Ripa remains active on the acting side and has been developing and producing TV projects through Milojo Prods., her company with husband Mark Consuelos. The two signed with CAA earlier this year.

39 Comments

Lisa Grasepoern • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Congrats to her agent Jim Ornstein. Nice guy!

demoncat • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

can see why nbc would want to lock up kelly even now that she will soon fly solo with regis retiring. for viewers like her and she has helped make the live show a hit plus the money she can generate in deals.hard to not have a piece of that.

Zeke • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

That settles it then…her husband is going to end up taking over for Regis, once they decide on a new co-host for her. Hell, she doesn’t have a steady job in All My Children anymore, so they decided to give her an extension on her deal to co-host this gabfest. Mark my words folks…Mark Consuelos will be the new co-host of this show, if she has anything to say about it.

hej • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Yknow Kelly just got a big big big big big raise. The Consuelos don’t have to worry about their so so production company as they are set for life. Now they’ll probably not settle on a new co-host until Fall 2012…but I doubt Jerry seinfeld will be it. Maybe if Anderson’s show fails, he can go. That would be my dream job. Andy Cohen, would u leave Bravo? So Deadline…give us some real scoop – who is ABC seriously considering? It seems every one I keep hearing either already got a talk show deal or is a gay man…would they consider doing a 2-female host like hoda & kathielee?

Mar • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I really like the idea of Dana Carvey. Otherwise AC is far too catty for me. His chemistry with Kelly is great though. Andy Cohen: Hell NO. Mark Consuelos is better as fill-in. They really need someone who can bring the laughs and Carvey will absolutely deliver.

mythoughts • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Wake up! this is one of the most overrated people on television…And her production company? A joke considering all the opportunities they had and blew…She can’t handle the show on her own…

Jo • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I TOTALLY AGREE!!! IT WAS TORTURE WATCHING HER AND JERRY S…..ITS JUST NOT THE SAME!!!! IT CAN’T BE SAVED!!

an opinion • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

You mean the wonderful Jim Ornstein who made her career and who she screwed?? After all the years,the work and everything he did for this untalented person…she then left him for CAA. What a wonderful lady…and all do to her talentless husband Mark so he could have a career.He ran out of Lifetime movies….

my prediction • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

If i was ABC id hire Howie Mandel
the times he’s co-hosted been great,(he’s likeable, good looking for a 50something) only problem is the show tapes in NYC (maybe he can do a mon-thurs schedule and fly back to LA on weekends)
But will be want to leave LA for only $5 million- im guessing that’s what they will most likely offer the next male co-host at LIVE with Kelly and…
I just hope its not Jeff Probst….he’s too short, yes really but i doubt CBS will let him do it anyways.

JJ Gittes • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

“Permanent co-host” Nah, have a diff. one each week

richard • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

i have to disagree….dana carvey doing washed up daddy bush and church lady impressions….BLAH…i think mark would bring a “lucy and desi” vibe to the morning show…he’s very telegenic (ie: HOT)…BUT could he handle making less money in such a public way…(i mean…she’s obviously the breadwinner in the house now, but, a contract would be much less than hers). if he hadn’t decided to go it on his own…Anderson Cooper would have been my choice….

kgeukes • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I used to like her until she started whoring herself out to Electrolux…who took 2700 jobs to Mexico and left a lot of people hurting….she needs a soul…she has none!!!!

Linda • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

And don’t forget TD Bank. They had to raise their rates again to pay her!

Eric SF • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Someone needs to feed her. She’s way too thin.

Lisa • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Right!? I’m actually worried for her.

George • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

It’s a mistake. She should have retired with Regis. Kelly was hired (to replace the aging Kathy Lee) because she was a cute, young face to sit next to Regis. She is no longer young, and is entering her last years of being “cute”. Regis & Kelly were good as a team, but there is no way on earth that she can carry a show on her own, without Regis. She can temporarily distract from that obvious fact by throwing a zillion co-hosts at us, but in the long run it is very doubtful that there are enough Kelly fans on which to build a solo show. “Live” (or at least her time on the show) will be dead before her 5-year deal runs out.

the facts • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

You are saying the same thing I’ve said about “THE MOUTH” ripa.
She can’t shut her mouth long enough to hear someone else talk.
She repeats everything 2 or more times and everything is about her and her kids. That gets old fast. Gelman couldn’t get along with Kathie lee talking about her kids all the time, and ripa is every bit
as bad.
She will run the show into the ground within “3” months.
I hope the staff have their resumes handed out to other shows.
If any on them would tell the truth, they know they will be out of jobs soon.

Steve • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I agree. She doesn’t stop talking. I hope she falls flat on your face. She ruined the show. She constantly interrupted Regis.

Sandy • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I think Kelly does a great job on the show and the show will have continued success in the future. She does alot of good and works with alot of charities. Negative comments on here are way off

Sheilabell • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

People listened to Regis for the NewYork flavor, like Letterman only more enjoyable for the morning. It must be tiring listening everyday to boring people selling books, movies. Cooper could handle it for a while, maybe.

Anonymous • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

The show will not make it without Regis. He had class,went to interesting places and made the show fun telling us about his adventures. Kelly kept Interrupting him . She brings the conversation to the gutter. Always talking about sexual things. Fawns over the guests. She needs a course or two in English and Speech to help her increase her vocabulary . I mean this to be helpful. She has a young family so she can’t go out every night to see a new movie or play.

Buster Brown • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Regis, you’re FREE! Free to finish a story, Free to get to your punch line. After all the years of trying to teach kelly how to be a good listener, a decent interviewer, and a good co-host, you are finally free. Why Kelly never learned is because she never listened. Even during your final week she refuses to let you finish a sentence without interupting, usually with news about herself. Kelly is still an amateur wantabe TV personality with
very few real skills. I’ll follow Regis, he certainly deserved better.

Colleen • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

My choices have always been either Mark or Anderson. I didn’t think Mark would give up on his few acting opportunities, and then Anderson got his own show. Aside from them I really like “Live with Kelly and Company” with guest co-hosts, male and female.In any case I Love Kelly Rippa and wish her all the best of luck.

Karen Kroll • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I think Kelly will do great! She is a young fresh personalble woman that brings so much light and life to the show!! I think different co-hosts is the best way to go as she leads the show just beautifully and this keeps it interesting!!!! Go Kelly! You are just awesome!!!

stephen bullis • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

please do not pick jerry as the co-host, I will stop watching the show

Anonymous • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

Tony Dana would be great

paulgoff • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

kelly was hired to be regis dumb blonde cohost with out regis the show is gonna go down hill . i have a feeling regis retierd cause he knew kelly was ruining the show . mark my words as soon as they find a new cohost it will go back to kelly playing second fiddle and playing the dumb little air head blonde side kick to who ever is gonna take regis place. once ratings start droping they wil be begging regis to cohost some .i would have rather seen joy take her husbands place and have be given a new cohost and see kelly go bye bye

Anonymous • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I think she’s somewhat amusing ! However she’s so anorexic looking !

Anita • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I really have to agree, I don’t like the show anymore without Regis with Kelly. I find her boring without him. I keep changing the channel hoping to find something better to watch. When I find something else, I will definately not be tuning in. Sorry, but its true, she’s not going to make it very far with this show now. Please do not have her husband take his place. I find him sooo annoying, he’s so into himself!

They should get someone old school, who has had a talk show and who is funny…I think Arsenio Hall would be a funny co host, I loved him back in the day. He is personable and gentlemanly but he gets that little flirt in there with the ladies…Man I would love to see someone like Robin Williams do it, but I don’t think he would do a talk show permanently.

Jan • on Nov 8, 2011 2:23 pm

I an NOT watching Kelly Ripa anymore. She is so full of herself. The times she said “I” or “ME” was to hard to count, and the poor co-host doesn’t get to many words in either. So boring now, so I quit watching.